Somerset's local boy who became champion of the world

It might not have been his year, but he's not giving up yet. Somerset's Jenson Button announced recently he's staying in Formula 1.

The former World Champion wanted to quit the sport, but made a dramatic U-turn after being convinced to stay on by McLaren's chairman Ron Dennis.

But how did the youngster from Frome end up becoming World Champion?

Jenson Button wrote his name in Formula 1 history in 2009 when he won the title. It was an amazing year for the 29 year-old, as he equalled the then record of six wins out of the first seven races of the year. Powered by Mercedes he then stayed in front until the end of the season.

For Jenson, it all began at the age of eight when his father bought him his first Kart and he quickly raced up the ladder to stardom.

Above he is pictured aged 9 where he raced at the Cadets Karting championship at the Clay Pigeon Raceway near Dorchester. So new was he to the scene the commentator insisted on calling him 'Yenson'.

But not all his exploits behind the wheel were successful that year. The above photo shows him on the day he passed his driving test. But his instructor says Jenson drove too close to a parked car the first time round and failed.

He quickly progressed from karting to Formula 3, and by the time he turned 20 in 2000, he became Formula 1's youngest ever driver.

However Jenson Button has never forgotten his roots in Frome, at school he only picked up 1 GCSE but after his title he inspired thousands of youngsters by driving his car through the town.

In 2011, two years after becoming World Champion, he came second to Lewis Hamilton, but engine problems have since plagued McLaren.

Despite that, the Formula 1 adrenalin rush isn't over yet, whatever happens Somerset will always be proud of the local boy who became Champion of the World.